From Rejection to World’s Fourth-Best Left Back: Dimarco’s Journey from Career Crisis to Inter’s Savior

Federico Dimarco’s journey to becoming one of the world’s top left-backs is nothing short of extraordinary. Recently, Transfermarkt updated his market value to €50 million, ranking him as the fourth most valuable left-back or left-wing-back globally. At 26, Dimarco is no longer just another promising youth prospect but a continental-level star with a deep emotional bond to Inter Milan. This bond has been nurtured since his boyhood, when the North Stand faithful—where he often stood with his father—watched him rise through the club's youth ranks.

Dimarco's attachment to Inter is well-known. Even as a young boy, playing with his friends in his father’s fruit shop, he would only wear the Nerazzurri jersey. He once famously declared, "I only play in the Inter shirt." His loyalty and determination were evident early on. But his path to stardom was anything but smooth, marked by hardship, five loans to various clubs, and a long road back to Inter Milan, where he is now a key player.

Dimarco’s interview detailing his career’s ups and downs, particularly his journey through injury, personal loss, and professional rejection, paints a vivid picture of resilience. One of the most challenging chapters of his life came during the 2017-18 season, a time when it seemed his relationship with Inter had reached its end. However, thanks to two key figures in Inter’s management, his career was revived, and Dimarco would go on to become a crucial part of the club’s success.

Early Days at Inter and the Start of a Tough Journey

Dimarco joined Inter’s youth academy at just seven years old. By the time he was 17, he had made his senior debut under then-manager Roberto Mancini, who was in his second spell with the club. However, after that debut, Dimarco’s journey took him away from Inter on several loan spells. He spent time at Ascoli, Empoli, Swiss club Sion, Parma, and Verona before finally finding his way back to Inter for good.

This journey was far from easy. The most difficult period came in the summer of 2017 when Inter sold Dimarco to Swiss side Sion for €4 million. Sion’s German coach, Paolo Tramezzani, was enthusiastic about Dimarco, then just 21, and personally called him to make the transfer happen. Tramezzani made it clear that he saw great potential in the young Italian. Dimarco, filled with confidence, was ready to make his mark.

Tragedy Strikes: Injury and Personal Loss

However, things quickly took a turn for the worse. In his very first league match for Sion, Dimarco suffered the worst injury of his career—a broken ankle with ligament damage that sidelined him for months. What should have been the start of a promising chapter turned into a nightmare. As he began his recovery, another blow struck—his coach Tramezzani was dismissed.

The new head coach, Frenchman Maurizio Jacobacci, had little interest in Dimarco. In Jacobacci's system, players under 1.80 meters tall were often overlooked, and Dimarco, standing at 1.75 meters, didn’t fit the mold. The young defender found himself marginalized, unable to secure playing time or prove himself. His confidence shattered further.

During this time, Dimarco faced a third personal tragedy—he lost his young son. The combination of these events left him emotionally drained and on the brink of giving up football altogether. Reflecting on that time, Dimarco has said, "After I broke my ankle, I was out for four months. I lost my son, and when I came back, the team had a new coach who didn’t want to give me a chance. I argued with him, and it became even harder to play... I was devastated. I asked myself, ‘Why am I going through all this?’ I even thought about retiring."

In football, a sport known for its cutthroat competition and ruthless nature, stories like Dimarco’s often end in obscurity. Young players who experience such a string of setbacks typically fade away or give up. The pyramid structure of professional football leaves little room for second chances. Dimarco, after suffering so many personal and professional blows in such a short period, was at a crossroads. But his story did not end in failure. Instead, it became one of resilience and ultimate triumph.

The Turning Point: Two Key Figures Save Dimarco’s Career

At the lowest point in his career, Dimarco encountered two pivotal figures—both from Inter—who would change his fate. The first was former Inter midfielder Luigi Di Biagio, who was managing Italy’s Under-21 team at the time. Despite Dimarco’s lack of playing time at Sion, Di Biagio called him up to the Under-21 squad, offering him a platform to regain his confidence and prove his worth. Di Biagio’s faith in Dimarco allowed the young defender to make his debut for the Italy U21 side and participate in key tournaments.

The second figure was Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio. In early 2018, Ausilio made the bold decision to buy back Dimarco’s contract from Sion for €7 million, despite the player’s limited appearances in Switzerland. It was a move that went against the grain of popular opinion at the time. Many pundits and fans on social media mocked the decision, questioning Dimarco’s potential and ridiculing his height and physical attributes.

Ausilio’s decision was met with skepticism, and Di Biagio’s choice to include Dimarco in the national squad faced similar criticism. Dimarco had become an easy target for online critics who believed his ceiling was low. But these two men saw something in the young fullback that others did not. They recognized his talent and character, giving him the opportunity to restart his career.

In an interview years later, Di Biagio explained, “I chose to call up Dimarco based on his performances with the Italy U17, U19, and U20 teams. It was the right decision.” Ausilio, in a conversation with journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, also discussed his reasoning for bringing Dimarco back to Inter: “Over the course of those five years, I always believed we couldn’t give up on a player like Dimarco. We always knew he had tremendous potential. Of course, I have to admit, even I didn’t expect him to reach the heights he has today at Inter. But credit goes to [Simone] Inzaghi—after just three training sessions under him, he told me, ‘He’s brilliant,’ and that gave me immense satisfaction.”

A Career Reborn: From Parma to Inter’s Mainstay

After being bought back by Inter, Dimarco was loaned to Parma, where he finally began to showcase his talents on a consistent basis. His performances quickly garnered attention, and he established himself as a top-tier Serie A left-back. With his confidence restored, he helped Parma stay in Italy’s top division and impressed with his offensive contributions, particularly his powerful left foot and precise crosses.

When Dimarco returned to Inter for the 2020-21 season, he was ready to fight for his place. Under Simone Inzaghi’s guidance, Dimarco flourished, becoming an integral part of the Nerazzurri’s squad. His versatility as both a left-back and a left-wing-back allowed Inzaghi to deploy him in various tactical setups, and his contributions on both ends of the pitch were crucial to Inter’s success.

Dimarco’s rise from a player who couldn’t get playing time in the Swiss league to one of the best left-backs in the world is a testament to his resilience and determination. The support he received from Di Biagio and Ausilio, coupled with his own mental toughness, allowed him to navigate the toughest period of his life and come out stronger.

The Bond with Inter: A Story of Loyalty and Perseverance

Dimarco’s story is not just one of personal triumph; it’s also a story of loyalty. His unwavering commitment to Inter, even during the toughest times, and the club’s decision to bring him back when many had written him off, demonstrates a deep bond between the player and the Nerazzurri. As Dimarco himself has stated, “I am willing to give everything for this Inter shirt.”

Dimarco’s journey is a powerful example of how perseverance, combined with the right support, can lead to success. For Inter, Dimarco’s rise is not just a testament to his individual talent, but also to the club’s ability to nurture and support its own. As long as Inter continues to value and invest in its homegrown talent, we can expect more stories like Dimarco’s to emerge in the future.